Chapter 44: The Second Uncle, Simple Yet Delicate

Although Zhang You had already been thanked in the main house, since the three members of the third branch initially didn’t realize the value of these gifts, when Zhenzhu, together with Huyu Qiuhen and several other maids, finished clearing out the chest, and Zhang Zhuo estimated their approximate value with the shrewdness of a merchant, Zhang Yue, as the son, had no choice but to make his way to the second branch.

Unlike the plainness of the western courtyard of the third branch and the elegance of the eastern courtyard of the first branch, the northern courtyard of the second branch was always filled with an air of luxury and wealth. The Dongfang family originally came from a wealthy background, with a dowry of sixty-four carts full of goods. Even if not weakened by a serious illness four years ago, no branch could compare to the wealth she had accumulated over the years.

Sitting on an inlaid lacquer chair with his back against a padded seat, Zhang Yue examined the pair of pearl-colored porcelain vases on the shelf in the corner, as well as the flat mother-of-pearl inlaid octagonal bronze mirror on the desk beside them. He glanced at the small red-lacquered table beside him, then took in the blue satin armor worn by the maids in the room. Finally, his eyes fell on the maid who came to serve tea—she held a lacquered and gilded tea tray, atop which sat a white porcelain teacup from the Dingyao kiln.

As he took the teacup, he heard hearty laughter. He hurriedly placed the cup on the small table beside him and stood up.

“Just some worthless trinkets. Third brother, really, to send you on such a trip just for these!”

Zhang You entered first, followed by his two sons. Seeing Zhang Yue about to bow, he waved his hands dismissively, sat down first on the central heated bed, and said with a smile, “Chaoer and Qier are both as careless and unrefined as I am. I must have caused quite a burden to your family these past years. I still haven’t thanked your parents—there’s no need for formalities between us. If anything needs to be said, it should be your father, not you!”

Although Zhang Yue had often accompanied his grandmother, Lady Gu, and his father, Zhang Zhuo, in receiving guests, those people were usually full of subtleties. He had never met someone so straightforward. After a moment of surprise, he felt genuinely comfortable and said with a smile, “Since Second Uncle says so, I’ll speak frankly. After Father took a look, he said that items like ivory and tortoise-shell lacquerware are quite valuable. If it were just ordinary gifts, it wouldn’t matter, but Second Uncle gave so many…”

Before Zhang Yue could finish speaking, Zhang You burst into laughter. Only then did he say indifferently, “I’ve been in Jiaozhi for so many years, and I’ve accumulated quite a few of these things—so many that if it weren’t inconvenient to carry them all, I could bring another dozen carts full. In short, they’re just local specialties. If I say they’re not valuable, then they’re not!”

Faced with such an attitude, Zhang Yue realized they would have to accept those gifts, so he stopped arguing and instead curiously inquired about Zhang You’s experiences in Jiaozhi over the years. Perhaps touching on his proudest memories, Zhang You began to talk at length. In his excitement, he even instinctively reached for his sword at his waist before realizing it was gone.

“The local people in Jiaozhi refuse to accept the teachings of the royal religion. From time to time, they even try to attack the garrisons. I sleep with my sword even in the middle of the night. After living in such constant fear for so long, it’s hard to change that habit in a short time… Coming back from that hellish place, I even dare not go to your second aunt…”

“What are you saying in front of the children?”

With a reprimand, Lady Dongfang entered through the side door just in time, cutting off Zhang You’s words. Perhaps overjoyed at her husband’s return, she was dressed like a bride today—wearing a small jacket with red brocade trim and floral patterns, along with a skirt of rose-purple silk embroidered with floral motifs. Her hairpins and jewelry shone brightly, adding to her magnificent appearance.

Seeing her enter, Zhang You cleared his throat and immediately changed the subject. He put on a stern expression as an elder and asked about Zhang Yue’s studies, gave a few dry instructions, and finally turned to Zhang Chaozhang Qi and shouted, “In the future, learn from Brother Yue’s composure. You two are older than him—stop acting like mischievous monkeys jumping around. If it weren’t for your mother’s reluctance, I would really take you to Jiaozhi to train you properly…”

Before he could finish, the brothers, who had pretended to be mute, suddenly became energetic. Seeing them exchange glances, Zhang Yue guessed what was coming next. Sure enough, after kneeling side by side, they began pleading with their father to take them out for experience, their expressions so sincere and their words so earnest that one might think they were learned scholars rather than mere warriors skilled in fighting.

Needless to say, the brothers must have rehearsed this scene countless times for today.

Dongfang Shi, standing by, never expected her two sons to act on their own. After a moment of shock, she showed signs of annoyance. With Zhang Yue, an outsider, present, she had to suppress her anger and forced a smile at Zhang You, saying, “Sir, these two boys are just like that—always thinking about fighting and killing…”

“What’s wrong with fighting and killing? Ten years as a civil official aren’t as good as one battle as a military officer!” Zhang You said cheerfully, pulling up both of his sons and slapping their shoulders firmly. “It’s good to have ambition! But there are some things I can’t decide. If you really have such aspirations, I’ll go ask the Duke of Ying in the future! Let me be upfront—fathers and sons serving in the same army is impossible. You’ll have to train on your own from now on!”

Seeing his sons overjoyed, Zhang You ignored his wife’s displeased expression, pushed the two sons toward her, then stood up and said, “I just remembered I need to talk to my third brother. It’s a good chance to walk together with Brother Yue. By the way, the old lady said everyone should eat at their own homes tonight. Don’t forget to bring Yi’er and Qingniang along so we can all get together. Also, use some of the silk given by my eldest brother to make clothes for Yi’er. She’s the only unmarried girl in our family now; it’s not proper for her to keep wearing dull clothes.”

As Zhang You left, Zhang Yue quickly bid farewell to Dongfang Shi and followed him out. At this moment, he had a basic understanding of Zhang You—just from the cheerful expressions of Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi and Dongfang Shi’s darkened face, it was clear that Zhang You was a straightforward and generous person. Of course, could Zhang You have risen so quickly just because of his straightforwardness, on the verge of reaching the third rank?

After leaving the eastern courtyard and turning into the side path, Zhang You slowed down to wait for Zhang Yue to catch up. After observing him for a while, he smiled and said, “I just said that ten years as a civil official aren’t as good as one battle as a military officer. You don’t seem to disagree?”

Zhang Yue wasn’t expecting Zhang You to ask this suddenly. With no time to consider his intentions, he had to answer as carefully as possible, “It’s true that a military officer gains promotions and honors after a victory, which is glorious. But if one only sees the glory without seeing the hard work and bloodshed, that’s too superficial. In times of chaos, military officers are valued; in peaceful times, civil officials are. That’s the way it is.”

“At such a young age, you already have such profound insights. Haha, Third Brother is truly lucky to have a son like you! The Duke of Britain once said the same thing—that’s exactly the point. Military officers risk their lives for wealth, while civil servants spend years earning their status. If both are promoted to the same rank, who can be satisfied? Good boy, not bad at all!”
These compliments weren’t anything new; Zhang Yue had heard many praises from his mentors, classmates, parents, and even Mr. Du over the years. But the two slaps from Zhang You were something he really couldn’t take. So, once he sent Zhang You to the room in their western courtyard, he immediately started rubbing his shoulders hard.
That said, with his uncles returning home in glory and the Zhang family showing increasing prosperity, it seemed there was no crisis at hand. Then what exactly did Mr. Du mean in his letter?